FORSYTH, Ga. – Contraband, in particular cell phones, pose a significant threat to staff and public safety. Determined to eradicate the state’s prison system of contraband, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has implemented and bolstered interdiction methods within its facilities across the state of Georgia. In the first quarter of 2016, the agency has confiscated a total of 7,825 items of contraband.

“As I said before, we will not stand idly by while contraband makes it way into the walls of our prisons,” said Commissioner Bryson. “We are united in our stance to be ‘tough on crime from within’; and will continue our fight to eliminate contraband.”

Since February 2015, Commissioner Bryson has made it his top priority to rid our facilities of this ever-growing problem. The 7,825 items of contraband seized between January and March consisted of the following items:

Seven prisons have undergone unannounced searches, some more than once, of their entire facility in the past three months. In line with the Commissioner’s commitment, the remainder of the state prisons, a total of 26, will be hit with surprise shakedowns over the course of this year.

“This is only the beginning of our efforts to rid our prisons of contraband,” said Commissioner Bryson. “Our efforts will only increase and become more aggressive.”

For an inside look at the measures our officers are taking to find contraband, literally within the walls of our prisons, take a look at one officer’s account here.